"In about two minutes, my men will attack the hospital in which you work."

It took a minute for her to find her tongue.

"Y-you are bluffing", she stammered.

No, he can't do that. He doesn't have that kind of power. The hospital have high security level and a mere man from a small valley won't risk provoking Punjab government. No, no. He won't. He can't!

"Jaan, its getting really annoying, you questioning me every single time. Your doubt may cost hundreds of lives."

"Enough! Please. What kind of man are you? Does a life mean nothing to you? You go on threatening lives of people's loved ones to get what you want. What if someone threatened Abeerah or...or Bi Jaan or Ozhan or whoever you love, what would you do?"

All traces of humour and cheer left his face and his face went deadly serious. In the moonlight, his green eyes glowered above her and they reminded her of supernatural creatures. He looked exactly like her books portrayed an angered beast. A chill ran down her spine.

"We both don't want to know exactly what i'll do to that person. On the other hand, the clock is ticking over your head. Tick tock! Tick tock!". The sly smile again replaced the stony expression. After giving her a moment, he spoke again. "Come down. We'll talk."

Her face morphed into anger that might have been able to compete with that of his own on his good days. Had it been one of her students on the receiving ends of it, they'd have died from fear. But ofcourse it wasn't the case with Yazaan Ibrahim Khan. Fear was an emotion known well by him - having seen it on the faces of those who angered him, countless times - but never experienced himself.

"You're a monster. Allah gaarat kare tumhe (God damn you!)...Stop it, i'm coming!"

"Good choice", and he hung up the call.

She put on an Abaya on top of her pajamas and tied a hijab in less than a minute and went out of the house.

Since he was standing in the street behind her house, she ran there hurriedly. That man knew no bounds and she didn't want to risk anything.

He straightened on seeing her and folded his arms in front. His face screamed of victory.

"Salam, biwi."

She abhorred every single word that came out of his mouth but these fake endearments were another level of annoying for her.

"What do you want to talk about? Just say it and leave."

She could imagine her mother giving her a disapproving look on not responding to someone's Salam but right now she couldn't help it.

It was like deja vú. The moment she stepped into the moonlight, he forgot how to breath. Her glasses covered eyes were bloodshot, cheeks flushed and lips swollen. Was it sadistic of him to think that she looked more beautiful when she cried? He didn't know.

Dark circles surrounded her eyes. No doubt she hadn't even a had a blink of sleep since yesterday. Where her every free moment was spent cursing him, his was spent thinking about her.

His darkening eyes made sirens go off in her head. There was no doubt about what thoughts were corrupting his mind. Subconsciously, he stepped close to her - too close for her liking.

She wanted to snap at him for invading her personal space but his eyes held her spellbound. It was like getting lost in a forest in a dark night.

He brought his finger towards her face and put a stray lock of hair inside her hijab. The mere touch was enough to snap her out of her trance. It was like a burn on her skin. She removed his hand by hitting her wrist with his.

"DON'T touch me!"

He stepped back, composing himself and said, "you should be grateful that your eyes are this beautiful and that i love you, else the amount of times you've pissed me off, had it been someone else i would've burned his entire family."

"You haven't done any less either, you monster", she scoffed.

"Get in the car", hyena's smile would've been less scary than the one Yazaan had in that moment that she was legit scared but she tried to hide it, which she didn't do a good job at.

She sat in the car with scowl on her face and folded her arms. She knew she shouldn't go with him. That she shouldn't sit with him. But what choice did she have?

Its not like he's going to kill me or anything. He's gone way too much trouble to do just that.

He sat in the driver's seat, put on his seatbelt and roared the car to life. When they were about to exit the military area, she hoped that the soldiers would stop the car for checking.

The closer they got, the more intense her prayings got that please let them stop us. But when their car passed without any restriction, her hopes shattered.

"You knew those soldiers wouldn't have stopped us, right?"

In answer, she turned her head towards the window, choosing to pretend he wasn't there. The almost empty roads at two in the night with road lights as by-passers gave her a sense of serenity and made ignoring him easier for her. The questions started to fill her head again, one dominating all the others;

Why is this happening to me?

•~•

"Return that, kid", the leader of the group said as four men circled the eighteen year old, closing in on him. Sweat poured out on boy's forehead and his hands started to feel sticky. He gripped the packet in his hand more tightly, his desperation for a fill overseeing the threat of death.

Charcoal eyes of the leader narrowed. He was furious that someone had gotten close to stealing something during his watch. He especially didn't like the fact that it was someone this young. It meant that he and his men were slacking off during the duty and if boss were to know about this, he would have nothing less than their heads.

A man came from behind and said in the leader's ear, "the shipment has to leave in two minutes as per order. You need to either finish this off now or leave it. . . Is it even worth it?" He said looking at the small packet in the boy's hand. "No one would even notice if it's missing."

"You're right. No one will. Even boss won't. But don't you know the underboss? He has the eyes of a hawk. Just with a glance, he would be able to tell that few grams from the goods has been misplaced", that was a slight exaggeration but yes, the underboss would always know. Always.

"Besides, i was just having fun with this boy over here. But apparently we're short on time", with that he stepped two steps foreword, locked his arms around the boy's neck and kicked his groin. Loud scream filled the silent night, followed by barkings of several street dogs.

Before letting the boy fall, the leader grabbed the packet from his hand and threw it over his shoulder, the other man catching it swiftly. He removed his arm from the boy's neck letting him fall to the ground. The other three men began kicking his fallen body, loud screams somehow muffled by the various hits he was being received while he kept writhing in agony.

•~•

"What will you have?", he said, looking at her over the menu. She looked at him with raised eyes, mocking his hospitality which would have irked him if he didn't find her defying him, adorable.

"Zehr."

(Poison)

"Ah! Now that's not on the menu. But i can have it arranged. What type? We can run to a lab to get some Cyanide. Or Copper Sulphate is a good option as poison. If you have something else in mind, we can arrange that too", he mused, leaving the menu and resting his elbows on the table, slightly leaning in. His face set in mock curiosity.

Ya Allah! Sabr.

She closed his eyes and breathed deeply in hopes of exhaling out some of the frustration this man was giving her but it seemed as if frustration was her wedding gift along with anger, grief, violence, pain and a lot of questions.

"You're not funny, Khan. . . Now will you spit out what you wanted to discuss for which you threatened me?"

"Right. The matter. Of course. You already know you are going with me to Hunza. No questions there. The thing which needs to be discussed is your resistance to it. Why don't you want to go with me?" The look on his face showed that he actually wanted to know the answer.

Is this man even real? Is pretending to be ignorant his supposed charm or what? How can he even ask why i don't want to go with him? Like he didn't threaten me five times in just two "meetings".

"You're really asking me why i don't want to go to your place with you?"

"Yes."

She fisted her hands under the table and leaned in, making an effort that she doesn't yell in frustration - even though they were in a private room - she gritted out,

"Apart from the very obvious that i don't want to go with you, i can't just pack and leave Lahore. My everything's here. My family, my friends, my job. And you're not worth anything to me, let alone leaving all these things over."

He leaned back against the chair and exhaled, folding his arms over his chest. "Now that is a problem", he said, nodding his head a little. "So what should we do?"

He met his eyes and she knew that there was no mockery in here. He was genuinely asking her.

Does he have a spilt personality or something? Has he run out of things to threaten me with?

"Why don't you just threaten to kill every single person in this restaurant to make me agree with you?"

Are you serious? Giving him all the ideas?

But the damgae was done. Atleast that's what she thought. But to her surprise and slightly to his own, his lips lifted up in a smile. And not the sly, dangerous smirk that she was used to by now. No. It was a full, genuine smile displaying his all white teeth, his green eyes sparkling and crinkling at the corners.

He looked...beautiful , if she were to admit it to herself. She opened her mouth and closed it again. She blinked slowly, hoping that it was a figment of her imagination because this smiling beast was throwing her off-guard. Though why she would even want to imagine a beast smiling was beyond her. But right now she just wanted this image not to be true.

But no, everytime she opened her eyes, he was very much there. She did something which she always thought was very ridiculous and thought that the people who did it were total idiots. But seemingly, a smile of a mafia lord was able to make all the brain cells fry and turn her into an idiot.

She pinched herself on her forearm. Hard. Ouch! She hissed and rubbed the spot repeatedly. That hurts. But apparently suprises were not done for the night, even though she was done with them at almost three in the morning.

He laughed.

Throwing his head back, he laughed heartily which began to annoy Layeba.

Okay. What did i say?

After laughing for about half a minute, he composed himself and said, "i could do that, couldn't i?"

"Huh?"

"I can just threaten to kill some people and you would do whatever i want to you do in an instant, wouldn't you? You're kind and soft-hearted like that. Too much that i would even classify you as naive."

Now that is an insult that she had never received, not once in her entire almost-thirty years of life. She would've been offended but her mind was occupied with one thought:

What does he mean by this?

"What?" His lips itched to kiss the small "v" between her brows but he controlled the urge.

There will be time for that, Yazaan. Don't scare her off.

"Oh, biwi. You really don't think i would've attacked the hospital, did you? That's way too far, even for me."

She sat there dumbfounded, her mouth agape. When the words finally registered, she burned with anger. Taking the vase from the table, she threw it at him, which shattered on the floor after he dodged it easily.

"How dare you! Is this a game for you? Khabees insan! Tumhein andaza bhi hai k wo hospital mere liey kya hai? Wahan ke log kya mai'ni rakhte hain mere liey? Tum apne maqsad ke hasool k liey kisi bhi hadd tak chale jao ge?" She slapped her hand on the table, the sound resounding in the empty room. "Chalo. Theek hai. Maan lia. Maan lia that you are used to getting things your own way, and for that you would anything. Accepted! Lekin mjhe ye bata do, Why me? Aisi...aisi kya gunah kar diya tha maine?"

(You bastard! Do you have any idea what that hospital is for me? What meaning its people hold for me? You'd go to all extremities to get what you want?. . . Okay, fine. Agreed. Agreed that you're getting things your own way, and for that you would do anything. Accepted! But please just tell me, why me? What crime had i commited?)

Tears pricked her eyes and she wanted to gouge her own eyes out for wanting to leak so much from the past two days. She sniffed and continued:

"Thirteen hours. I stayed in your farmhouse for only thirteen hours. And that too - if i remember correctly - on the tip of a gun. What crime did i commit in those thirteen hours? Huh? Did a woman telling you off was that much of a brunt to your ego that you decided ruin her whole existence?"

He stayed quiet. Not because he had nothing to say. He didn't even know that should he wish to speak, he doesn't have answers himself. He stayed quiet because he didn't want to answer to anyone. He never did, and he never will.

Realizing he won't say a word regarding this, she grabbed her phone amd stood up. Her hand was just about to grab the door handle when she was pulled behind, an arm wrapped around her waist. Her back hit a wall - or so it seemed, it was just his solid built body.

His bearded chin rested comfortably on top of her head and both their eyes closed. But both for different reasons.

His closed in serenity. Like this was where he was meant to be all along. His home. The fresh and clean scent of hers brought him peace like no other. Hers on the other hand, closed in fear. She was afraid he would try something. And well, afraid, she was right to be, for he did try.

Bringing his other hand below her chin, he bent it upwards. Kissing her forehead, he moved her face to the side and he said in her covered ear;

"Calm down. These are the things we'll discuss later."

Separating from her with a sigh, he made her stiff body sit back in the chair and sat in the chair again.

Why are we sitting in the uncomfortable chairs instead of the lush couches?

But the thought was quickly dismissed when he saw her sitting there with closed eyes, clenched fists and a frown between her brows. She reminded him of a scared pigeon.

I just pecked her forhead and this is your reaction biwi. I wonder what'd happen when-

He immediately discarded that thought away. Clapping loudly in front of her face which had her jumping in her chair, he said casually,

"Since i'm in really good mood today, name any of your three conditions that will make you go to Hunza with me willingly - and stay there - and i promise to fulfill them."

She was glad that he didn't make her feel any more awkward than he already had. Didn't mean that she wasn't mad as hell at him.

"Why the hell would i even do that? I'm not going and that's final!", she hissed.

"You are going with me. By hook, or by crook. The offer still stands despite your behaviour 'cause i'm that good of a husband", at this she scoffed. "Three conditions. Name them."

She narrowed her eyes. "I'm not wasting any time here. Because i know you're not the one to hold onto your promises."

His eyebrows raised. "And how do you know that? "

"You promised you would leave me alone. After you've ensured that i'm in Lahore safely, you would leave me alone. But here you are, making my life worse than hell for the past two days."

He hummed. "I remember that. I remember you wanting me to promise that." He leaned forward. "But do you remember me promising? . . . Should i tell? No. Because i didn't promise. I didn't say that i will leave you alone. You just assumed it. It's your fault for thinking that."

He was right. As much as she hated to admit it. He was right. He hadn't promised. He hadn't said anything. Seeing the acceptance on her face, he straightened;

"Now i am promising that i will fulfill your conditions. So i will. I never break my promises."

She had two options here: either she could just keep on denying. Which even she knew would be pointless, because he would just force her. Or she could go on her conditions.

She didn't know what to do. Atleast she could blame him if he forced her. On the other hand, she'd have no one to blame if she went on her conditions. She could feel a headache coming again, so she gripped her forehead.

Ya Allah! Please guide me!

Meeting his eyes, she spoke her first condition.

"First condition: you will never ever, ever, threaten me with any life ever again. Any life. Be it a friend or foe."

Why am i not surprised, biwi?

He gave her a nod.

"I want your word! Say that you promise!"

Suppressing the smile that was threatening to bloom on his face again, he promised.

"Second condition: you will never ever, ever, force yourself upon me. Never!"

Giving her a sharky smile this time that had a shiver running down her spine, he said, "Don't worry, biwi. Not my style."

Clearing her throat, she thought about her third one but she couldn't think of any. She licked her lips which suddenly felt dry, she continued:

"Third: i'm not putting up with any of the family baggage or drama that you have."

She knew she should've chose something else. But she couldn't think of anything else.

"I'll ask Bi Jaan to shut all the women up."

She nodded.

Did i just sign a deal with the devil?

"Yes, you did."

Did i say that out loud?

"No, biwi. You're just easy to read."

Her phone rang. The caller id made sirens go off in her mind.

Api's hospital.

She gulped. Was he lying when he said he wouldn't attack the hospital?

"Don't worry, i haven't done anything. Your hospital is safe and sound."

Holding the phone with shaking hands, her finger hovered above the green button.

"Will you just pick it up? The ringtone's giving me a headache."

She answered and pressed the phone to her ear.

"Doctor Layeba?"

"Yes?"

"You might want to come to the hospital immediately."

"Why?"

"Your brother, Arsalan Hussein, is in emergency. He's beaten up badly. "

What?

Her eyes went straight to Yazaan. Ofcourse, her suspect was the big bad Mafia Lord.

She kept glaring at him while he kept wondering,

What the fuck did i do now?

•~•

Assalam o Alaikum, lovelies!
Hope you're all safe and healthy.
How did you like the chapter? I know i said the chapter would be exciting but i swear it felt that way in my head. Atleast i got some points covered.

Do tell me what you think of it. Were the conditions okay? Or do you think she could've asked for something else? And what do you think of Yazaan's character? Does he have a split personality disorder or what?

And please vote as well. I swear it takes just a nanosecond.

That is all.
Stay safe.
Stay blessed.
Allah hafiz.